Jerry Lewis in DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP on blu ray

DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP

Directed by Norman Taurog. Cast: Jerry Lewis, Dina Merrill, Diana Spencer, Mickey Shaughnessy, Robert Middleton, Gale Gordon, Mabel Albertson, Calude Akins, Fritz Feld, Don Haggerty, Hank Mann, Mary Treen. Released July 3, 1959. Running time: 89 minutes.

Leonard Maltin referred to the Jerry Lewis comedy “Don’t Give Up The Ship” as “one of Jerry’s best,” while Jerry Lewis himself dismissed it as “pedestrian.” It depends on one’s perspective.

Usually Lewis is considered to be at his best in films he directed himself (“The Bellboy,” “The Ladies Man,” “The Nutty Professor,” “The Patsy”) or the ones helmed by Frank Tashlin (“The Geisha Boy,” “Who’s Minding the Store,” “The Disorderly Orderly”). Norman Taurog, a veteran director who dates back to silent comedy, directed “Don’t Give Up The Ship,” and while it comes off as a pleasant comedy, this director’s vision is not Jerry’s usual style.

“Don’t Give Up The Ship” is a a quieter, yet still entertaining feature in which Jerry is accused of having misplaced an entire naval battleship. He plays John Paul Steckler VII, who had been assigned to return the ship on which he was stationed back to the United States after the war ended. Years later, nobody can locate the ship, so Steckler must either find it or pay for it. He is also a newlywed trying to enjoy his honeymoon.

What is great about this movie is that it shows Jerry Lewis working effectively in a more subtle comedy that responds to situations rather than gags. “Don’t Give Up The Ship” does not present an outrageous world, it presents an outrageous occurrence within a very real world. Jerry is central to the film, anchoring its proceedings with a fine performance that supports the narrative while still being consistently funny. Lewis engages in reactive comedy without extending beyond the framework of the character as written. He is funny and silly in the Jerry Lewis manner, offering double-takes, stammering dialog, pratfalls, and funny faces, but all within the parameters of the narrative. An absurd line like, “I once had a parrot named Rita that hated me. His real name was Frank” can only be found in a Jerry Lewis comedy. Same with, “he is too dumb to be so smart to play that stupid.”

There are a few odd touches that are more typical, such as Jerry wandering a noisy island full of jungle noises, hollering “Shhhh!”, and the noises suddenly stop. But, for the most part, he is reacting to situations, such as being captured on a remote island by the enemy, who don’t listen to him when he explains the war is over. When they discover he is correct, they surrender their arms to him, burying him with their rifles. There is a fun running gag where every time he is alone with his new bride, he is taken away on military business.

While the film is largely situational, this is not to say that Jerry eschews physical comedy. There is a very funny bit where he loses track of his room key as he is carrying his new bride over the threshold, so they search his pockets while he continues to hold her. He leaves a cramped prison and is stuck in a crouching position because he can’t straighten up, waddling like a duck to the firing squad. Exhausted, he falls asleep as he is about to be shot, which stops the execution. When the hotel elevator is out, Jerry races up eleven flights of stairs to his room, barely able to walk by the time he reaches his destination. When he tries to question a former navy buddy who is in the middle of a pro wrestling match, Lewis ends up in the ring as part of the action.

“Don’t Give Up The Ship” features a transitional Jerry Lewis who is still exploring what he can do after having been teamed with Dean Martin for years. His solo films would develop a firm niche by the following year with his auteurist classic “The Bellboy.” Perhaps, in retrospect, this is why Lewis considered “Don’t Give Up The Ship” to be of minimal interest. In fact, it is one of the best of his earlier solo films.

Kino Lorber’s blu ray is newly mastered from a 4K scan resulting in a beautiful print. It is available for purchase here.